Penn State's defense has been an easy target to explain a
mediocre 5-4 record. It has been well
deserved. That unit has allowed 34
points or more four times this season and their inability to make a key stop
just saps the energy from the game.

That
being said, the Nittany Lions D has been
adequate enough that the team should have routed Illinois and won this past week at
Minnesota. Instead, Penn State barely got
by the Fighting Illini and scored a measly 10 points against the Gophers. Where oh where has the offense gone? 27
combined points in regulation against Illinois and Minnesota, really???

The scholarship reductions may have played a role in the
demise of the defense, no sanction excuse can be given for the offense. That side of the ball has the best wide
receiver in the Big Ten, perhaps the country.
That side of the ball has a quarterback that all the analysts rave
about. That side of the ball returned a
1,000-yard rusher from 2012 and is supplemented by runner who gained 201 yards
on the ground against Illinois this season.
That side of the ball returned an armada of tight ends playing in an
offense tailored for that position. So
why is that side of the ball struggling to score points against average
defenses?

Some of the blame has to be directed at Penn State's
offensive coordinator who is also their head coach, Bill O'Brien. In hindsight, part of the success of 2012 was
just plain luck. Numerous times, O'Brien
would gamble on a fourth down or go for a low percentage play and have
it turn out in his favor. Watching those
games, I had the feeling of a basketball coach seeing his center pull up from
30 feet out and making a 3-pointer. The
normally reaction would be, "No, no, no,no... good shot." Those plays that worked, that thrilled
Nittany Nation are no longer working and the three point shot by the center is
now clanking off the iron instead of swishing through the net.

I don't see this being a long term situation. It took awhile for defenses to adjust to
O'Brien. O'Brien has been around long
enough and has enough success in his career that he should be able to adjust to
the adjustments. It is just that I am
not the most patient guy, so I would prefer that adjustment to occur sooner
rather than later.

Oh by the way, Penn State has a game this Saturday. I see the Nittany Lions winning, but the lack
of energy in Beaver Stadium due to the noon kickoff, the caliber of the
opponent, and the home team's recent play all leads to Purdue covering the
spread.

Purdue (+21.5) over PENN STATE

Here are the rest of this week's picks in the Big Ten.

Michigan (+2.5) over NORTHWESTERN

Both the Wolverines and Wildcats lost to Nebraska in the
last game each program has played.
Northwestern is coming off a bye week and is trying to snap a 5 game
losing streak. Both teams are struggling
to score points of late, however I think Michigan is the team to get their
offense going on Saturday.

Michigan State (-6.5) over NEBRASKA

The Cornhuskers are a home underdog and it is rightfully
deserved. They needed a Hail Mary to win
at home two weeks ago over Northwestern and survived an ugly played game last
week against Michigan. The Spartans have
allowed just 9 points in their last 3 games and for the season are giving up an
average of 11.6. The hot seat gets a tad
hotter for Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini.

Ohio State (-32) over ILLINOIS

I thought about picking the Fighting Illini to cover the
spread, but after the 52-35 loss to Indiana I think they are in "mailing it in"
mode.

Indiana (+22) over WISCONSIN

The Badgers defense is good.
In fact they are only allowing 15.2 points a game. I just think that the Hoosiers score enough
to be within the 22 point spread.